CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the first half of a game against the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Likely without C.J. Stroud, Texans face tall task vs. Browns
Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud’s absence proved glaring for the Houston Texans last week. They relied on a dose of luck and played the definition of complementary football to survive a defensive slugfest against the Tennessee Titans in overtime. Stroud remains sidelined by a concussion that likely will keep him out for a second consecutive week. Houston’s top two receivers in Tank Dell and Nico Collins also missed last week’s game when the Texans (8-6) found their way through a 19-16 win. The victory kept them in the thick of the AFC playoff picture in advance of their showdown with the visiting Cleveland Browns (9-5) on Sunday at NRG Stadium.
Before Ka’imi Fairbairn booted his fourth field goal, a 54-yarder as the game clock expired, the Texans hung tough behind Case Keenum. The veteran overcame an early pick-6 and benefited from timely contributions from Noah Brown (eight receptions, 82 yards, touchdown) and Devin Singletary, whose 170 yards from scrimmage (121 rushing, 49 receiving) kept the Texans afloat offensively. But where the Texans made the most significant inroads was defensively, particularly on the line. Despite the absence of impactful rookie edge Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), the Texans sacked Titans quarterback Will Levis seven times. Defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard recorded 2.5
sacks and three hits on Levis to pace a ferocious attack in the trenches, spearheading a unit that continues to develop as the regular season winds down. “Those guys have bought into the system and what we’ve asked them to do,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “And you see it start to come to life when we’re really humming up front and our D-line is getting after the quarterback (and) they’re stopping the run. That’s when our defense has played its best is when our defensive line has played their best.
“Our defense, it goes as far as our D-line will take us, and I think our guys have improved tremendously throughout the year.” The Browns certainly will be on high alert against the Texans’ defensive front after Joe Flacco tossed three interceptions while being sacked four times in a 20-17 home win over the Chicago Bears. Like the Texans, the Browns have gotten mileage from their veteran backup signal caller, the fourth QB to start for Cleveland in 2023.
